With cybercriminals finding new tactics to get their way in more systems and servers, the rate at which companies have their data compromised increases each day.

 

Unlike the past, where limited technology made it quite difficult for hackers to capitalise on anything, today’s hackers are a different breed. Cybercriminals now give security companies a run for their money by upping the ante on creating systems and measures that counteract any obstacle through technological advancement.

 

From complicated server hacks to elaborate phishing scams, today’s businesses are at a greater risk than ever of being targeted by crafty hackers and scammers. Regardless if you’re a fintech company, financial firm, or small food service business, there’s no denying that your firm currently has various challenges that lie ahead.

 

The fight against cybercrime (and a concern you need to address)

 

At this moment, you may have spent some time, money, and effort on fortifying the technological integrity of your business against the persistent threat of cybercriminals. Whether it’s in the form of a round-the-clock antivirus or an in-house IT team that’s keeping everything airtight, the ways you can keep your data safe is abundant.

 

Among the different issues and concerns that you’ll need to address when protecting yourself from online threats, there’s one aspect that you’ll need to address more: The online fraud tactics that your employees can fall victim to.

 

Different online fraud tactics to be aware of in 2020

 

Generally, most of the different news reports we see involving companies or firms losing their data or getting hacked will include an employee falling for a form of online fraud.

Given the immersion of modern businesses towards online usage processes, it’s safe to say that any firm’s employees can be a problem that online fraudsters can exploit. Thankfully, you can prevent your business from being another victim of an elaborate scam by teaching your employees these crucial tips on avoiding fraud:

 

Tip #1: Don’t fall for the “ransomware” prompt

 

From time to time, your employees can run into sudden pop-ups that claim their office computer is infected and needs to be cleaned with a specific “program.”

When pop-ups claim that a computer is infected with a virus that needs to be cleaned out with a product being pitched, it’s safe to assume that the “product” itself is the fraud or virus. If an employee ends up downloading the program being marketed to them out of urgency, they can inadvertently end up infecting the computer and server with ransomware or malware.

 

Thankfully, this problem can be easily avoided by closing the pop-up, not entertaining it, avoiding dodgy sites, and running a regular scan!

 

Tip #2: If there’s an email asking for bank details, then it’s not from the bank

 

Today, fraudsters like to prey on the presence of naivety by sending out phishing emails to companies and employees to get money by pretending to be the bank. Bank-related phishing efforts have become so elaborate that fraudsters now use a bank’s logo, text style, and similar domain names to misrepresent themselves.

 

Although fraudsters now may be detailed in terms of how they carry out their scams, there’s just one flaw that helps make a difference: legitimate banking emails don’t ask for private details. If your employee gets an email saying that their “bank account details are about to expire” and will require them to send their login details, then it’s a scammer at work.

 

Thankfully, exercising some common sense and getting help from experts over at Fraud Watch International can help ensure that your employees are well-aware of these fraudulent emails!

 

With today’s scammers and cybercriminals becoming even more advanced and persistent in targeting companies and compromising their security and sensitive data, it pays to have the right tips in mind. By considering the two tips mentioned above, you can easily ensure that your employees are prepared to stay safe as they surf the web with your company’s computers!

 

We’re an Australian based global cyber intelligence company that specialises in helping businesses all over the world with our anti-phishing, anti-piracy solutions, and cyber-attack prevention services. Get in touch with us today to learn more about how we can help keep your business as safe as possible online!